Strong start fuels Fremd

With a big crowd watching as part of a boys-girls basketball doubleheader, Fremd junior guard Taylor Glassman admitted the Vikings had a few nerves before tip off.

"We were all so nervous," she said. "But once the game starts, we turn those nerves into excitement and hustle."

The Vikings girls sure did as they led 10-0 after one quarter and never looked back in a 45-34 triumph over visiting Hoffman Estates in the Mid-Suburban West opener.

Glassman (game-high 18 points) and senior Sam Thelin (14 points) each had a 3-pointer and a field goal for Fremd's 10 points in the first-quarter shutout.

Meanwhile, senior guard Katie Hetzner was credited for a standout defensive job on Hoffman's high-scoring Megan Fischer (19 points per game), who finished with 5 points before fouling with 4:42 left in the game.

"We can always count on Katie," said Vikings junior Gianna Abruzzo, who tossed home 7 points. "She's our go-to girl for defense."

Hetzner wasn't about to take full credit.

"Team effort," said the 5-foot-8 senior guard. "It was pretty physical between she (College of Charleston-bound Fischer) and I. I just had to keep the pressure on her and when I couldn't get to her, I knew I had help defense. I just wanted to focus on defense."

Fremd (5-2, 1-0) led 28-17 when Glassman hit her second 3 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

But the Hawks (5-2, 0-1) clawed back to within 6 on a putback by 5-11 senior Megan Evans (8 points).

"Megan played a great game," said Hoffman coach Mike Nocella. "She was working hard and she got us some big boards."

Alex Wulbecker also chipped in 8 points for Hoffman while teammate Kelsey Lukowicz added 6, Megan Bernardoni 4 and Jada Stotts 3.

"We got ourselves in an early hole and that has been our method of operation," Nocella added. "When a team comes out and puts pressure on us, we totally abandon everything.

"Once we got mad and started playing, I thought we played them evenly."

Kendall Minta and Megan Gray also scored points for Fremd, which rebounded from a 51-43 loss to Prospect Tuesday.

"The girls were disappointed with that Prospect game," said Fremd coach Dave Yates. "We knew Hoffman was very good. I think they were favored to win the West. So obviously, I'm pleased with this win.

"Katie (Hetzner) did a great job keeping the ball out of Megan Fischer's hands. And her teammates did a nice job helping her make sure she wasn't going to beat us."